Matthew Henry Commentary Matthew 8:2-4

"And behold, there came to him a leper and worshipped him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he stretched forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou made clean. And straightway his leprosy was cleansed. And Jesus saith unto him, See thou tell no man; but go, show thyself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them." — Matthew 8:2-4 (ASV)

In these verses, we have an account of Christ cleansing a leper, who came and worshipped Him as one clothed with divine power. This cleansing directs us not only to apply to Christ, who has power over bodily diseases, for their cure, but it also teaches us how to apply to Him. When we cannot be sure of God's will, we can be sure of His wisdom and mercy.

No guilt is so great that Christ's blood cannot atone for it; no corruption so strong that His grace cannot subdue it. To be made clean, we must entrust ourselves to His pity; we cannot demand it as a debt, but we must humbly request it as a favour. Those who by faith apply to Christ for mercy and grace can be sure that He is freely willing to give them the mercy and grace they thus seek.

And blessed are those afflictions that bring us to know Christ and cause us to seek help and salvation from Him. Let those who are cleansed from their spiritual leprosy go to Christ's ministers and open their case to them, so that they may advise, comfort, and pray for them.